--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: With but few exceptions, it is always the…" description: "\"With but few exceptions, it is always the underdog who wins through sheer willpower.\" — Johnny Weissmuller" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/johnny-weissmuller-25776_discipline_with-but-few-exceptions-it-is-always-the_364788.jpg" --- # With but few exceptions, it is always the underdog who… ![“With but few exceptions, it is always the underdog who wins through sheer willpower.” quote by Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/johnny-weissmuller-25776_discipline_with-but-few-exceptions-it-is-always-the_364788.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/johnny-weissmuller-25776_discipline_with-but-few-exceptions-it-is-always-the_364788.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/johnny-weissmuller-25776_discipline_with-but-few-exceptions-it-is-always-the_364788.jpg) > “With but few exceptions, it is always the underdog who wins through sheer willpower.” [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Underdogs often succeed through relentless determination despite odds. **In simple terms:** Determination helps underdogs win. Key Takeaway Cultivate unwavering willpower. Themes determination underdog success Mood inspirational hopeful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - team sports - personal goal setting - career challenges - overcoming adversity Key Concepts psychology of motivation resilience Questions to Reflect On - What fuels your inner drive? - Can willpower overcome systemic barriers? A Different Perspective Willpower alone may not suffice without resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Exception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exception/) [Exceptions Underdog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exceptions-underdog-3340999/) [Sheer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sheer/) [Sheer Willpower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sheer-willpower-2596172/) [Underdog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/underdog/) [Underdog Wins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/underdog-wins-3340998/) [Willpower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willpower/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [“A writer is not born but made through study and sheer willpower and ability to embrace beauty and agony.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/a-writer-is-not-born-but-made-through-study-and-sheer-willpower-and/) [Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/) > [I was a complete, total nerd... I loved the idea that the underdog wins more often than not. And I don't know if that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-mitchell/i-was-a-complete-total-nerd-i-loved-the-idea-that-the-underdog-wins/) [Elizabeth Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-mitchell/) > [When an underdog wins, they win for everybody, because somebody gotta come through that door and break it open and make it possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-jhn/when-an-underdog-wins-they-win-for-everybody-because-somebody-gotta/) [Saint Jhn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-jhn/) > [ If ever there's been somebody to hold as an icon of sheer determination and willpower, it's that guy \[Stephen Hawking \], let alone any… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-bush/if-ever-there-s-been-somebody-to-hold-as-an-icon-of-sheer/) [Kate Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-bush/) > [It is not just a person's physical constitution, their intellegence, their education, or even their social conditioning that enables them to withstand hardship. Much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/it-is-not-just-a-person-s-physical-constitution-their-intellegence/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Our legal system, including the police, is anti-Dalit and anti-poor. The death penalty laws' wrathful majesty, in blood-shot equality, deals the fatal blow on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-r-krishna-iyer/our-legal-system-including-the-police-is-anti-dalit-and-anti-poor-the/) [V. R. Krishna Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-r-krishna-iyer/) > [I have been an underdog my whole life, both in life and in politics. We're going to do well. We're going to pick up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/i-have-been-an-underdog-my-whole-life-both-in-life-and-in-politics-we/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [I've been an underdog all my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ailes/i-ve-been-an-underdog-all-my-life/) [Roger Ailes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ailes/) > [I am the epitome of the underdog. By societies standards I should have been dead a long time ago, and I was nobody's gangster,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-k-williams/i-am-the-epitome-of-the-underdog-by-societies-standards-i-should-have/) [Michael K. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-k-williams/) > [I'm a champion of the underdog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demond-wilson/i-m-a-champion-of-the-underdog/) [Demond Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demond-wilson/) > [I've always felt like a little bit of an underdog at each level - never the tallest or strongest or even fastest. But one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-smart/i-ve-always-felt-like-a-little-bit-of-an-underdog-at-each-level-never/) [Marcus Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-smart/) > [Spiderman is the underdog, and I love underdogs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiger-shroff/spiderman-is-the-underdog-and-i-love-underdogs/) [Tiger Shroff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiger-shroff/) > [Mourinho is almost at his best when he is the underdog like you saw initially when he was at Porto.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-hargreaves/mourinho-is-almost-at-his-best-when-he-is-the-underdog-like-you-saw/) [Owen Hargreaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-hargreaves/) > [The more people that learn about you, even if you're an underdog, then you can come under fire a lot and the more attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-way/the-more-people-that-learn-about-you-even-if-you-re-an-underdog-then/) [Gerard Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-way/) > [The lunatic fringe wags the underdog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/the-lunatic-fringe-wags-the-underdog/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) ## More by Johnny Weissmuller > [I need freedom to be happy. I never lost a freestyle race. Never. Not even in the YMCA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/i-need-freedom-to-be-happy-i-never-lost-a-freestyle-race-never-not/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [I need freedom to be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/i-need-freedom-to-be-happy/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [Throughout my career I swam for form. Speed came as a result of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/throughout-my-career-i-swam-for-form-speed-came-as-a-result-of-it/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [Swimming gave me my start, but my pal Tarzan did the real work. He set me up nicely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/swimming-gave-me-my-start-but-my-pal-tarzan-did-the-real-work-he-set/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [I learned to yodel pretty well. It took me a few months, but I eventually perfected it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/i-learned-to-yodel-pretty-well-it-took-me-a-few-months-but-i/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [When people don't know me any more or want my autograph, then I'll think about retiring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/when-people-don-t-know-me-any-more-or-want-my-autograph-then-i-ll/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [I have always been vitally interested in physical conditioning. I have long believed that athletic competition among people and nations should replace violence and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/i-have-always-been-vitally-interested-in-physical-conditioning-i-have/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [The director sent for me for Tarzan. I climbed the tree and walked out on a limb. The next day I was told I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/the-director-sent-for-me-for-tarzan-i-climbed-the-tree-and-walked-out/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [Treat your body well, and it'll see you through for many years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/treat-your-body-well-and-it-ll-see-you-through-for-many-years/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [Can you imagine - a blond Tarzan?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/can-you-imagine-a-blond-tarzan/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [We didn't have the lane ropes, we had to get up higher in the water to avoid the little waves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/we-didn-t-have-the-lane-ropes-we-had-to-get-up-higher-in-the-water-to/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [How can a guy climb trees, say Me Tarzan, You Jane, and make a million?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/how-can-a-guy-climb-trees-say-me-tarzan-you-jane-and-make-a-million/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [The William Morris Agency handled me. In that business, you're only as good as your last picture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/the-william-morris-agency-handled-me-in-that-business-you-re-only-as/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [No marriage can stand up under the strain of incessant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/no-marriage-can-stand-up-under-the-strain-of-incessant/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) > [The main thing is not to let go of the vine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/the-main-thing-is-not-to-let-go-of-the-vine/) [Johnny Weissmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) [Explore all 22 Johnny Weissmuller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/) ## More Discipline quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“Peace requires a discipline more iron than war. - Easter, 1939 ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-j-turner/peace-requires-a-discipline-more-iron-than-war-easter-1939/) [W.J. Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-j-turner/) > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [Exercise teaches you the pleasure of discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fonda/exercise-teaches-you-the-pleasure-of-discipline/) [Jane Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fonda/) > [I'm always writing. I'm an obsessive. It's not because I'm a disciplined person. It's because I'm crazy about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanif-kureishi/i-m-always-writing-i-m-an-obsessive-it-s-not-because-i-m-a/) [Hanif Kureishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanif-kureishi/) > [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/) [J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/) > [The undisciplined child enters into discipline by working in the company of others; not being told he is naughty.” “Discipline is, therefore, primarily a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-undisciplined-child-enters-into-discipline-by-working-in-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [“Proverbs from the East: The wind howls, but the mountain remains still. Even though I make no special attempt to observe the discipline of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/proverbs-from-the-east-the-wind-howls-but-the-mountain-remains-still/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) [Burne Hogarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burne-hogarth/) > [Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan-blair/self-discipline-is-an-act-of-cultivation-it-require-you-to-connect/) [Gary Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan-blair/) > [The individual, by means of the discipline imposed on him by sport, not only plays and finds relaxation from the various compulsions to which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/the-individual-by-means-of-the-discipline-imposed-on-him-by-sport-not/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [Cheerfulness in most cheerful people is the rich and satisfying result of strenuous discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-percy-whipple/cheerfulness-in-most-cheerful-people-is-the-rich-and-satisfying/) [Edwin Percy Whipple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-percy-whipple/) > [Stay in your seat come times of trouble. Its only people who jump off the roller coaster who get hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-harvey/stay-in-your-seat-come-times-of-trouble-its-only-people-who-jump-off/) [Paul Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-harvey/) [Browse all 5,597 Discipline quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "With but few exceptions, it is always the underdog who wins through sheer willpower.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Johnny Weissmuller" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/with-but-few-exceptions-it-is-always-the-underdog-who-wins-through/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Discipline" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/with-but-few-exceptions-it-is-always-the-underdog-who-wins-through/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/johnny-weissmuller-25776_discipline_with-but-few-exceptions-it-is-always-the_364788.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/johnny-weissmuller-25776_discipline_with-but-few-exceptions-it-is-always-the_364788.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f00/johnny-weissmuller-25776_discipline_with-but-few-exceptions-it-is-always-the_364788.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“With but few exceptions, it is always the underdog who wins through sheer willpower.” — Johnny Weissmuller", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Johnny Weissmuller", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weissmuller/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "With but few exceptions, it is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/with-but-few-exceptions-it-is-always-the-underdog-who-wins-through/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weissmuller/with-but-few-exceptions-it-is-always-the-underdog-who-wins-through/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```